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Sun Java Desktop System 2.0 Optimization for Sun Ray Server Software 3.0

Brian Nitz, April, 2005

1 Introduction

This document describes the installation procedures and configuration changes recommended to optimize Sun Java Desktop System 2.0 for multiuser environments with Sun Ray Server Software 3.0.

2 Special Java Desktop System Installation Instructions to Support Sun Ray Server Software 3.0

The following additional installation steps for Java Desktop System 2.0 (JDS 2.0) are necessary to prepare for the installation of Sun Ray Server Software 3.0 (SRSS 3.0).

2.1 When the installer presents the boot options screen, type acpi=off as a kernel boot parameter.

2.2 When the installer presents the installation selection screen, select New Installation and click O.K.

Note: This will overwrite any existing operating system on the computer you are installing to.

2.3 Select the default installation for your locale and select O.K.

2.4 Select Software option in Installation Settings.

2.5 Select Add-on Packages and add the following packages:

• Ice WM Desktop
• Development Tools

2.6 Select Package Groups, select Development -> Libraries -> Perl and add the following package from the right panel:

perl-XML-Parser

2.7 Again from Package Groups, select Productivity -> Archiving. Select the following package from the right panel:

pax

2.8 Again from Package Groups, select Productivity -> Networking. Select the following packages from the right panel:

dhcp-base
dhcp-server
tftp
telnet (optional)
telnet-server (optional)

2.9 Again from Package Groups, select System. Select the following package from the right panel:

openmotif

2.10 Click Accept and continue installing Java Desktop System normally. The remaining packages will be installed later from the SRSS 3.0 tar file.

3 Obtain and Expand the Sun Ray Server Software 3.0 (SRSS 3.0) Install Image

You can download the Sun Ray Server Software 3 from Sun's download center.

4 Install the pdksh Package From the SRSS 3.0 Supplemental Directory

rpm -i srss_3.0/Supplemental/JDS/Packages/pdksh-5.2.14-531.i586.rpm

5 Run the Sun Ray Software Installer

cd srss_3.0
../utinstall

Take all defaults until you get to the Java location prompt.

The SRSS 3.0 utinstall prompt says:

Enter Java v1.4 (or later) location [/usr/j2se]:

6 Run Java Desktop System Online Update

After Sun Ray Software and JDS are installed, run Java Desktop Online Update to download and install the latest patches.

7 Configure Java Desktop System for Use in a Sun Ray Environment

A number of Java Desktop System configuration options are available that can improve performance in a multiuser Sun Ray environment. Most of these parameters can be configured with the gconftool-2 configuration utility. The -direct and -config-source options of gconftool-2 can be used to set mandatory or default values for these preferences. The jds-srss-optimize utility script provides a convenient way to set these parameters. The jds-srss-optimize shell script is available for download, as well as the Readme file for that shell script.

7.1 Optimizations to the Nautilus File Manager

The default behavior of the Java Desktop System file manager, Nautilus, is not optimized for large-scale multiuser systems. For example, Nautilus counts the number of items and creates thumb-nail icons for items in folders. Fortunately, these Nautilus options are configurable. This section explains Nautilus configuration options useful in a Sun Ray environment.

7.1.1 Nautilus folder features such as directory item counts, text in icons, or image icons can be enabled optionally for all folders, for local folders only, or never. These example gconftool-2 commands enable each feature for local files only.

7.1.1.1 Show icon text for text files:

gconftool-2 --type string --set \ 
/apps/nautilus/preferences/show_icon_text local_only

7.1.1.2 Show directory item counts:

gconftool-2 --type string --set \ 
/apps/nautilus/preferences/show_directory_item_counts local_only

7.1.1.3 Show image thumbnails:

gconftool-2 --type string --set \ 
/apps/nautilus/preferences/show_image_thumbnails local_only

7.1.1.4 Preview as sound:

gconftool-2 --type string --set \ 
/apps/nautilus/preferences/preview_sound local_only

7.1.2 Nautilus background

The default detailed Nautilus background image and gradient can cause unnecessary network traffic when the screen is refreshed.

7.1.2.1 Change the background to a blank screen:

gconftool-2 --type string --set \ 
/desktop/gnome/background/picture_options none

7.1.2.2 Turn off the background screen gradient:

gconftool-2 --type string --set \ 
/desktop/gnome/background/color_shading_type solid

7.2 Themes

The bitmap detail and gradients in the default blueprint theme may make it slightly slower than a flatter theme. Themes can be set from Launch->Preferences->Display->Theme or with gconftool-2 as in this example:

gconftool-2 -type string --set \ 
/apps/metacity/general/theme Simple

7.3 Other desktop effects and options

7.3.1 Wireframe mode

gconftool-2 --type bool --set \ 
/apps/metacity/general/reduced_resources true

7.3.2 Logout effect

gconftool-2 --type string --set \
/apps/gnome-session/options/logout_effect black

7.3.3 Display icons in menus

/usr/bin/gconftool-2 --type bool --set \ 
/desktop/gnome/interface/menus_have_icons false

7.4 The jds_srss_optimize utility script

The jds_srss_optimize utility script is a convenient way to set Java Desktop System options to values more appropriate for Sun Ray environments. Here are two examples of the usage of this script:

../jds-srss-optimize -mandatory -global -thin_client

../jds-srss-optimize -nautilus_file_off

7.5 Configuring gdm for faster hot desking in Sun Ray environment

The default gnome desktop manager (gdm) background has a nice shaded gradient pattern that may slow down screen refreshes during hot-desking in some environments. In order to improve hot desking, you can set gdm to a simpler background by following these steps:

1. Log in as root.
2. Open a terminal and run gdmconfig.
3. Select the General tab.
4. Set the login banner for Local to Standard instead of Graphic. Log out.
5. Reboot.

8 Using APOC to Configure Java Desktop System for Sun Ray Environment

APOC provides centralized management of Java Desktop System configuration parameters using policies and LDAP registered policy groups. (APOC [A Point Of Control] is the internal code name for the Sun Java Desktop System Configuration Manager.) This section explains how to use a sample policy group to set desktop configuration parameters to values optimized for Sun Ray environments.

8.1 Download the SunRayUsers.zip policy and install it on a file system mounted on your APOC server.

8.2 Log in to the APOC manager by browsing to https://<apochost>:6789/apoc.

8.3 Select the Policy Repository link in the Hosts tab page.

8.4 Import the SunRayUsers policy group.

8.5 This will create a global policy group that can then be assigned to users or groups of users (organizations or roles) to provide them with forced values that are appropriate for the Sun Ray environment.

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